Winning among white working class voters, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton holds strong leads
over Arizona Sen. John McCain - and runs much better than Illinois Sen. Barack Obama - in
three critical swing states, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to three simultaneous
Quinnipiac University Swing State polls released today. If Sen. Obama is the Democratic
nominee, he's in a tight race with McCain in Florida and Ohio, but takes Pennsylvania.

This is Sen. Clinton's strongest overall performance since the independent Quinnipiac
(KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University began special surveys two years ago in the three largest and most
important swing states in the Electoral College. This latest survey finds:

"If the super delegates are looking at electability, these results could be a shot in the arm
for Sen. Clinton. No one has won the White House since 1960 without carrying two of these
three swing states, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. And she clearly is running much better
against Sen. McCain than is Sen. Obama, at least for now," said Peter A. Brown, assistant
director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"There is no indication that Obama's problems with white working class Democrats in the
Ohio and Pennsylvania primaries have gone away," Brown added.

"Many voters cite trustworthiness as the most important quality they want in a candidate.
Clinton is found wanting in that department, but still does best in the matchups. She wins
because she is seen as a strong leader who cares about people and can improve the economy."

"McCain's age is a significant problem in the minds of voters as are his ties to President
George W. Bush. He is seen as the least able to fix the economy and bring about change. The
data indicates he needs to continue to try and put some distance between himself and President
Bush, whose job approval ratings remain awful."

President Bush's approval ratings are:

24 - 71 percent in Florida;

23 - 71 percent in Ohio;

23 - 73 percent in Pennsylvania.

Florida

Facing McCain in November, Clinton leads 54 - 37 percent among women, while he gets
45 percent of men to her 43 percent. They tie 45 - 45 percent among white voters, while she
leads 80 - 11 percent among black voters.

In an Obama-McCain matchup, men back McCain 46 - 42 percent, while women split,
with 44 percent for Obama and 42 percent for McCain. The Republican leads among white
voters 50 - 36 percent, while the Democrat leads among black voters 83 - 8 percent.

The economy is the most important issue in their vote, 50 percent of Florida voters say,
with 22 percent who list the war in Iraq and 10 percent who list health care. If Clinton is
elected, 44 percent say the economy will get better. If Obama is elected, 38 percent say the
economy will get better. Only 24 percent say the economy will improve under McCain.

The most important quality they want in a candidate is strong leadership, 29 percent of
voters say, while 27 percent want someone trustworthy and 23 percent want someone competent.

A total of 43 percent of Florida voters say a candidate's age is "very important" or
"somewhat important."

"In Florida, with its large number of senior citizens, age is an issue. That could hurt Sen.
McCain. These same voters are less concerned with gender or race, which would impact Sen.
Clinton or Sen. Obama. But it may well be that people are more reluctant to concede they're
making decisions based on a candidate's race or sex," said Brown.

The economy is the most important issue to Ohio voters, 52 percent say, followed by 17
percent who list the war in Iraq and 14 percent who cite health care.

The economy will get better if Clinton wins, voters say 41 - 20 percent. Obama gets a
37 - 21 percent score here. But only 16 percent of Ohio voters say the economy will get better if
McCain wins, with 27 percent who say it will get worse and 50 percent who say it won't change.

Thirty percent most want a candidate who is trustworthy, while 25 percent want a strong
leader, with 20 percent looking for a candidate who shares their values and 19 percent looking
for someone competent.

A candidate's age is "very important" or "somewhat important," 38 percent of voters say.

"At this point, the economy is virtually the whole ball game in Ohio and that helps the
Democrats and hurts McCain. Voters see both Democrats as far better able to fix the economy.
McCain is viewed as a strong leader by 69 percent of voters, but Clinton matches him on that
score," Brown said.

The economy is the top issue for 48 percent of voters, followed by 21 percent who list the
war in Iraq and 13 percent who cite health care. The economy will get better if Clinton wins,
voters say 47 - 20 percent, with 44 - 19 percent saying the economy will improve if Obama wins.
But only 18 percent say the economy will get better if McCain wins, while 28 percent say it will
get worse and 46 percent say it won't change.

Twenty-eight percent of voters most want a candidate who is trustworthy, while 27
percent want a strong leader; 21 percent want someone who shares their values and 20 percent
want someone competent.

A candidate's age is "very important" or "somewhat important," 37 percent of voters say.

"Although Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama both win in Pennsylvania, Clinton wins bigger
and she has an eight-point advantage among working class whites, while Obama loses them by
seven points - a key difference in a state where the war hero Republican will target these votes,"
said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

From April 23 - 29, Quinnipiac University surveyed:

1,411 Florida voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percent;

1,127 Ohio voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percent;

1,494 Pennsylvania voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and
nationwide as a public service and for research.
For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

1. If the 2008 election for President were being held today, and the candidates
were Hillary Clinton the Democrat and John McCain the Republican, for whom would
you vote?